Connector for an electronic faucet

ABSTRACT

A connector for an electronic faucet including a light source. The connector includes a socket and is configured to distinguish between an electrically conductive plug and an electrically non-conductive plug for controlling activation of the light source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/400,710, filed Jan. 6, 2017, the disclosure ofwhich is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid delivery apparatus.More particularly, the present disclosure relates a connector forsupplying light to an electronic faucet.

It is known to provide visual indicators on electronic faucets. One suchvisual indicator may be a light source (such as a light emitting diode(LED)) positioned above a sink deck and below a faucet spout. In anotherillustrative embodiment, the visual indicator may be provided by a lightsource (such as a light emitting diode (LED)) positioned below the sinkdeck, where light is transmitted from the light source to above the sinkdeck via a light pipe.

The present invention provides a connector for a visual indicator of anelectronic faucet. More particularly, the connector is configured toalternately receive an optical plug of a light pipe, and an electricalplug of an above deck light emitter. Additionally, the connector isconfigured to distinguish between the coupling of the optical plug ofthe light pipe and the electrical plug of the light emitter.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, anelectronic faucet includes a first faucet component supported on a firstside of a mounting member, the first faucet component including a wateroutlet, and a light outlet operably coupled to the first faucetcomponent and positioned on the first side of the mounting member. Asecond faucet component is supported on a second side of the mountingmember, the second faucet component including a connector having asocket, and a first light source operably coupled to the connector foremitting light into the socket. A light pipe includes an optical plughaving an inlet opening in communication with the first light source,and an outlet opening in communication with the light outlet.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,an electronic faucet includes a delivery spout, a fluid supply conduitsupported by the delivery spout and including a water outlet, aconnector including a socket, and a light source operably coupled to thesocket and configured to supply light to the socket. A light outlet isoperably coupled to the delivery spout, and a conduit is incommunication with the light source. The conduit is one of an electricalcable including an electrically conductive plug, or a light pipeincluding an electrically non-conductive plug with an inlet opening. Thesocket includes a plug detecting contact configured to detect which ofthe electrically plug and the electrically non-conductive plug isreceived within the socket, and activation of the light source iscontrolled in response thereto.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, a connector for an electronic faucet includes a housingdefining a socket and a light inlet, and a plug detecting contactreceived within the socket and configured to distinguish between anelectrically conductive plug and an electrically non-conductive plugreceived within the socket. A first power contact is received within thesocket and is configured to supply power to the electrically conductiveplug. A light source is in communication with the light inlet forsupplying light to the socket.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,a method of operating an electronic faucet includes the steps ofproviding a light outlet, providing a connector including a socket, anda first light source operably coupled to the socket for supplying lightto the socket. The method further includes the steps of deactivating thefirst light source by inserting an electrically conductive plug of anelectrical cable into the socket, and activating the first light sourceby inserting an electrically non-conductive plug of a light pipe intothe socket.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying features, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic faucetcoupled to a sink deck, and including a connector optically coupling alight source to a light pipe;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a further illustrative embodiment faucetcoupled to a sink deck, and including the connector of FIG. 1electrically coupled to a light source through an electrical cable;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic faucet;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative controller of theelectronic faucet of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a first perspective view of an illustrative light outletoptically coupled to the light pipe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is a second perspective view of the illustrative light outlet ofFIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a first perspective view of a further illustrative lightoutlet coupled to the electrical cable of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6B is a second perspective view of the illustrative light outlet ofFIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the solenoid valveand the controller of the illustrative faucets of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 is a first cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve and thecontroller of FIG. 7, showing an optical plug of the light pipe of FIG.1 coupled to the connector;

FIG. 9 is a second cross-sectional view of the solenoid valve and thecontroller of FIG. 7, showing the electrically conductive plug of theelectrical cable of FIG. 2 coupled to the connector; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the connector and the electricallyconductive plug of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, which are described herein. The embodimentsdisclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments arechosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize theirteachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the claimedinvention is thereby intended. The present invention includes anyalterations and further modifications of the illustrated devices anddescribed methods and further applications of the principles of theinvention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

With reference to FIG. 1, an illustrative electronic faucet 10 includesa delivery spout 12 supporting a passageway or fluid conduit 14 fordelivering fluids, such as water, from an outlet 16. The outlet 16 maybe supported by a pull-down sprayhead 18 removably coupled to the spout12. The faucet 10 illustratively includes a hub 19 supported by amounting member, illustratively a sink deck 20.

With reference to FIG. 3, the electronic faucet 10 illustrativelyincludes a manual valve 22 in fluid communication with hot and coldwater sources 24 and 26 via fluid conduits 28 and 30, respectively. Afluid conduit 32 fluidly couples the manual valve 22 to an electricallyoperable valve, such as a solenoid valve 34.

Solenoid valve 34 is illustratively controlled electronically by acontroller 36. In the illustrative embodiment, controller 36 isconfigured to open and close solenoid valve 34 to turn on and off thefluid flow to the outlet 16 of the spout 12. In another illustrativeembodiment, controller 36 is further configured to proportionatelycontrol solenoid valve 34 to adjust the flow rate of the fluid flowingthrough the outlet 16 of the spout 12. In an illustrative embodimentdescribed herein, solenoid valve 34 includes a pilot operated solenoidvalve, although other suitable electrically operable or actuator drivenvalves may be substituted therefor.

In the illustrative embodiment, the controller 36 controls the solenoidvalve 34 based on output from at least one sensor, such as a proximitysensor and/or a touch sensor, for example, to turn on and off fluid flowthrough the spout 12. In the illustrative embodiment, a capacitivesensor 38 is in communication with the controller 36 for providingsignals to controller 36 indicating the detection of an object (e.g., auser's hands) on or near spout 12. Other suitable sensors may beprovided for detecting an object near the faucet 10. An electrode 40 ofthe capacitive sensor 38 is illustratively coupled to spout 12 to detectthe object contacting the spout 12. The electrode 40 may be positionedin other suitable areas of faucet 10 for detecting the presence of auser's hands.

In some embodiments, by sensing capacitance changes with the capacitivesensor 38, the controller 36 is configured to make logical decisions tocontrol different modes of operation of faucet 10 such as changingbetween a manual mode of operation and a hands free mode of operation asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,537,023; 7,690,395; 7,150,293; 7,997,301;and PCT International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 2008/094651and WO 2009/075858, the disclosures of which are all expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

In an illustrative embodiment, manual adjustment of water temperatureand flow rate may be provided after opening the solenoid valve 34 bymanipulating a manual valve handle 42, which is operably coupled to themanual valve 22, illustratively a conventional mixing valve. Inparticular, the manual valve handle 42 may be used to manipulate themanual valve 22 positioned in the passageway of the spout 12 to adjustthe temperature and/or flow of fluid from the hot and cold water sources24 and 26 to the solenoid valve 34. Alternatively, separate manual valvehandles 42 may be provided for each of the hot and cold water sources 24and 26. Alternatively, the electronic faucet 10 may be a fully automaticfaucet without any manual controls.

In an alternative embodiment, the controller 36 may further control thevalve 22 electronically. In particular, the valve 22 may include anelectronic proportioning or mixing valve that is adjusted by controller36 to control the mixture of hot and cold water and thus the temperatureof the water flowing through spout 12. Exemplary electronicallycontrolled mixing valves are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,520 andPCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2007/082301, thedisclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. Theamount of fluid flowing from the hot water source 24 and the cold watersource 26 may be controlled by the controller 36 based on one or moreuser inputs, such as desired fluid temperature, desired fluid flow rate,desired fluid volume, various task based inputs, various recognizedpresentments, and/or combinations thereof. For example, the faucet 10may include a temperature sensor 44 in fluid communication with theoutput of the proportioning valve to provide feedback to the controller36 for use in controlling the water temperature. In one illustrativeembodiment, the controller 36 controls the proportional valve via anauxiliary port 46 (FIG. 4).

In an illustrative embodiment, the faucet 10, 10′ includes one or morelight outlets or visual indicators 48, 48′ controlled by the controller36 to provide a visual indication of the operational mode (e.g., handsfree and/or touch mode) and/or water temperature of water dispensed fromthe outlet 16 of the electronic faucet 10, 10′. Illustratively, thevisual indicators 48, 48′ are operative to indicate operating modeand/or the temperature of the water flowing through the faucet 10, 10′based on the selective illumination of different colored light emittingdiodes (LEDs) or a single multi-colored light emitting diode (LED).

In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 36 is operative to controlanother remote dispensing device in addition to the electronic faucet10, illustratively auxiliary dispensing device 50. An exemplaryauxiliary dispensing device 50 may include a soap dispenser, anotherfaucet spout, a beverage dispenser, or another suitable dispensingdevice. The auxiliary dispensing device 50 may be positioned adjacentthe same sink basin as the spout 12. Alternatively, the dispensingdevice 50 may be positioned to dispense into a different sink basin,such as another sink basin in a bathroom or kitchen or in another room,for example. As described in detail herein, the controller 36 includesan auxiliary port 46 for remotely controlling and powering the auxiliarydispensing device 50 via a cable 51 (FIG. 4).

The controller 36 illustratively includes a printed circuit board 52 andmultiple circuit components mounted to the printed circuit board 52.Illustratively, a processor 54, a flow sensor 56, the temperature sensor44, the auxiliary port 46, and a light connector 58 are coupled to thecircuit board 52. A connection header 60 is illustratively coupled tothe circuit board 52 for coupling a power line from an external powersource 62. In one illustrative embodiment, the power source 62 is abattery power supply or other direct current (DC) power supply. Internalor external memory 64 of the processor 54 includes software and/orfirmware containing instructions executed by the processor 54 forcontrolling the solenoid valve 34, other components of the faucet 10,and other dispensing devices (e.g., auxiliary dispensing device 50). Theprocessor 54 controls the solenoid valve 34 based on output from thecapacitive sensor 38, the flow sensor 56, and/or the temperature sensor44. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller 36 also includes a powerconnector 66 for coupling the controller 36 to a wall outlet or otherbuilding power supply to power the controller 36. The power connector 66illustratively includes a rectifier to convert alternating current (AC)power to DC power levels suitable for controller 36. The solenoid valve34 and the controller 36 are illustratively received within an outerhousing or casing 68.

FIGS. 1, 5A, 5B and 8 show a first illustrative embodiment faucet 10including visual indicator or light outlet 48 coupled to the deliveryspout 12. With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the light outlet 48 isillustratively defined by a lens or diffuser 70 supported by a base ring72 positioned above the sink deck 20 and below the hub 19 of thedelivery spout 12. A conduit, illustratively a light pipe 74, isoptically coupled to a first light source or light emitter 76 and thelens 70. More particularly, the light pipe 74 illustratively includes apolymer tube 78 extending between an inlet end 80 and an outlet end 82,and configured to transmit light from the first light source 76therethrough. The first light source 76 illustratively comprises abicolored light emitting diode (LED). An optical plug 84, illustrativelyelectrically non-conductive (e.g., formed of a polymer), is supported bythe inlet end 80 of the light pipe 74. The optical plug 84illustratively includes an inlet opening 86 to receive light from thefirst light source 76 (FIG. 8). The optical plug 84 may be aconventional mini-TOSLINK connector. The light pipe 74 transmits thelight from the inlet end 80 to the outlet end 82 for dispersion by thelens 70 within the base ring 72.

FIGS. 2, 6A, 6B and 9 show a second illustrative embodiment faucet 10′including visual indicator or light outlet 48′ coupled to the deliveryspout 12. Faucet 10′ includes many similar components as faucet 10,wherein similar components are identified with like reference numbers.With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the light outlet 48′ isillustratively defined by a second light source or light emitter 90supported by a base ring 92 positioned above the sink deck 20 and belowthe hub 19 of the delivery spout 12. The second light source 90illustratively comprises a blue light emitting diode (LED) 90 a and ared light emitting diode (LED) 90 b.

A lens or diffuser 93 is illustratively supported by the base ring 92 infront of the light emitter 90. A conduit, illustratively an electricalcable 94, is electrically coupled to the light emitter 90. Theelectrical cable 94 is configured to transmit electricity between aninlet end 96 and an outlet end 98. An electrically conductive plug 100is coupled to the inlet end 96 of the electrical cable 94, while thelight emitter 90 is coupled to the outlet end 98. The plug 100 isillustratively a conventional tip-ring-sleeve (TRS) plug including a tipcontact 102, a ring contact 104 and a sleeve contact 106. The tipcontact 102 is separated from the ring contact 104 by a first ringinsulator 103, and the ring contact 104 is separated from the sleevecontact 106 by a second ring insulator 105.

The light connector 58 is positioned below the sink deck 20 and isoperably coupled to the light outlet 48 of faucet 10 in the firstconfiguration (FIG. 1) and is operably coupled to the light outlet 48′of faucet 10′ in the second configuration (FIG. 2). The illustrativelight connector 58 includes a housing 108 defining a socket 110. Thefirst light source 76 is operably coupled to the socket 110 and isconfigured to supply light to the socket 110.

The connector 58 illustratively includes an electrical detection circuit111 configured to distinguish between the first configuration faucet 10including light outlet 48 of FIG. 1, and the second configuration faucet10′ including light outlet 48′ of FIG. 2. More particularly, a firstplug detecting contact 112 and a second plug detecting contact 114 aresupported within the socket 110. A first power contact 116 and a secondpower contact 118 are likewise supported within the socket 110 and arein electrical communication with the power source 62. The contacts 112,114, 116 and 118 are illustratively metal spring fingers biased radiallyinwardly into the socket 110, which is illustratively a 3.5 mm jack ofthe type used for audio headphone connections. The electrical detectioncircuit 111 is in electrical communication with the contacts 112, 114,116 and 118 and may comprise an n-channel, p-channel MOSFET pair with apull-up resistor to turn on/off power to the first light source 76 whendifferent plugs (electrically non-conductive and electrically conductive84 and 100) are inserted. Alternatively, detection of different plugs 84and 100 may be through operation of the controller 36 through logicprogramming of the processor 54. As such, the controller 36 may replacethe separate electrical detection circuit 111.

Additional details of illustrative solenoid valve 34 and controller 36are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0261780 toThomas et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

In an illustrative operation of the electronic faucet 10 in the firstconfiguration of FIGS. 1, 5A, 5B and 8, the socket 110 cooperates withthe electrical detection circuit 111 of the light connector 58 todistinguish between the electrically non-conductive plug 84 and theelectrically conductive plug 100. When the electrically non-conductiveplug 84 is inserted into the socket 110, no electrical connection ismade between the plug 84 and the first plug detecting contact 112, thesecond plug detecting contact 114, the first power contact 116 and thesecond power contact 118. In response, power is supplied from the powersource 62 to activate the first light source 76 (as represented by block120 in FIG. 3). Light from the first light source 76 is supplied to thesocket 110 and transmitted from the inlet opening 86 through the lightpipe 74 to the outlet end 82, emitted through the lens 70, and projectedoutwardly from the base ring 72 (representing illumination of indicator48).

In an illustrative operation of the electronic faucet 10′ in the secondconfiguration of FIGS. 2, 6A, 6B and 9, the socket 110 cooperates withthe electrical detection circuit 111 of the light connector 58 of thelight connector 58 to again distinguish between the electricallynon-conductive plug 84 and the electrically conductive plug 100. Whenthe electrically conductive plug 100 is inserted into the socket 110,the first plug detecting contact 112 is electrically coupled to thesecond plug detecting contact 114 (i.e., electrically bridged orshorted). More particularly, the sleeve contact 106 of the plug 100electrically couples the first plug detecting contact 112 and the secondplug detecting 114 of the socket 110. In response, the electricaldetection circuit 111 deactivates the first light source 76.Simultaneously, the first power contact 116 and the second power contact118 are electrically coupled to the second light source 90. Moreparticularly, power is transmitted from the first power contact 116 tothe ring contact 104 to cause illumination of the blue LED 90 a, whilepower from the second power contact 118 is transmitted from to the tipcontact 102 to cause illumination of the red LED 90 b (as represented byblock 122 in FIG. 3). As such, the second light source 90 is active andemits light through the lens 93, which is diffused outwardly from thebase ring 92 (representing illumination of indicator 48′).

While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs,the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of operating an electronic faucet,the method comprising the steps of: providing a light outlet; providinga connector including a socket, and a first light source operablycoupled to the socket; deactivating the first light source by insertingan electrically conductive plug of a wire into the socket; andactivating the first light source by inserting an electricallynon-conductive plug of a light pipe into the socket, the first lightsource emitting light to the light outlet.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the first light source is positioned below a mounting deck. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein light from the first light source istransmitted through the light pipe to the light outlet.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the steps of providing a second lightsource, and activating the second light source by inserting theelectrically conductive plug into the socket.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of providing a first faucet component on afirst side of a mounting member, the first faucet component including awater outlet, wherein the light outlet is operably coupled to the firstfaucet component and positioned on the first side of the mountingmember.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first faucet componentcomprises a delivery spout.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprisinga base ring supported below the delivery spout, the base ring includinga lens operably coupled to the light outlet.
 8. The method of claim 5,further comprising the step of providing a second faucet component on asecond side of the mounting member, the second faucet componentincluding the connector and the first light source.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the second faucet component includes a controller andan electrically operable valve coupled to the controller to controlfluid flow through the water outlet.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe socket includes a plug detecting contact, and the step ofdeactivating the first light source includes the plug detecting contactdetecting the electrically conductive plug.
 11. An electronic faucetcomprising: a light outlet; a connector including a socket, and a firstlight source operably coupled to the socket; wherein the first lightsource is deactivated by inserting an electrically conductive plug of awire into the socket; and wherein the first light source is activated byinserting an electrically non-conductive plug of a light pipe into thesocket, the first light source being coupled to the light outlet by thelight pipe.
 12. The electronic faucet of claim 11, wherein the firstlight source is positioned below a mounting deck.
 13. The electronicfaucet of claim 12, wherein light from the first light source transmitslight through the light pipe to the light outlet.
 14. The electronicfaucet of claim 11, further comprising a second light source, whereinthe second light source is activated by inserting the electricallyconductive plug into the socket.
 15. The electronic faucet of claim 11,further comprising a first faucet component supported on a first side ofa mounting member, the first faucet component including a water outlet,wherein the light outlet is operably coupled to the first faucetcomponent and positioned on the first side of the mounting member. 16.The electronic faucet of claim 15, wherein the first faucet componentcomprises a delivery spout.
 17. The electronic faucet of claim 16,further comprising a base ring supported below the delivery spout, thebase ring including a lens operably coupled to the light outlet.
 18. Theelectronic faucet of claim 15, further comprising a second faucetcomponent on a second side of the mounting member, the second faucetcomponent including the connector and the first light source.
 19. Theelectronic faucet of claim 18, wherein the second faucet componentincludes a controller and an electrically operable valve coupled to thecontroller to control fluid flow through the water outlet.
 20. Theelectronic faucet of claim 11, wherein the socket includes a plugdetecting contact, and the step of deactivating the first light sourceincludes the plug detecting contact detecting that the plug iselectrically conductive.